Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by Columbia Gas and other utilities as needed in an amount up to $40,000.00.
The City of Columbus, Recreation and Parks Department and Department of Public Service, are engaged in the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project - (DPS CIP# 540002-100080/3194 E). This project will install a shared use path along the south side of Sullivant Avenue from just east of the Camp Chase Railroad to Georgesville Road and along the east side of Georgesville Road from Sullivant Avenue to the Camp Chase Trail and the existing shared use path north of the Camp Chase railroad installed by the Franklin County Engineer’s Office. This project will also include new storm sewers. The traffic signals will be upgraded at Georgesville Road and Sullivant Avenue West, Georgesville Road and Atlanta Drive, and Georgesville Road at Sullivant Avenue East.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements. These relocations are in areas where the City has previously allowed utilities, but due to this project there is a need to relocate them at the City's expense.
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work up to the amount of $40,000.00 by Columbia Gas and other utilities after work is completed and invoices approved. The funding request for this utilities relocation reimbursement is based upon estimates from the utilities. Additional legislation will be submitted for Council approval if actual costs should exceed the estimate.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for this project are available within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, 7702.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The Department of Public Service is requesting emergency designation so as to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to Columbia Gas and other utility companies for the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project; to authorize the expenditure of $40,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for utility relocations for this project from the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the City as such rights-of-way areas represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare including the economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, utility relocations must be completed before construction can begin; and
WHEREAS, funding must be made available for utility relocation expenses for the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $40,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize payment for utility relocation expenses at the earliest possible time to prevent construction delays, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse utilities for utility relocation costs to Columbia Gas and other utility companies as necessary for the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $40,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7702 Recreation and Parks Bond Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves and or vetoes the same.